Well tool protection system and method

Abstract

The system including a well tool having a housing forming a protection fluid chamber in fluid communication with a discharge port, a protection fluid disposed within the protection fluid chamber, and a moveable mechanism in functional connection with the protection fluid chamber in a manner to expel a portion of the protection fluid when the moveable mechanism moves.

1. A well tool protection system, the system comprising:
 a flapper; 
 a housing having a protection fluid chamber in fluid communication with a discharge port positioned proximate the flapper; 
 a protection fluid contained within the protection fluid chamber; 
 a first slide sleeve positioned in moveable connection with the flapper wherein the first slide sleeve is held in a static position by a first breakable member; 
 a second slide sleeve positioned in moveable relation to the first slide sleeve; 
 a load support positioned below the second slide sleeve in a manner supporting the second slide sleeve in a set position; 
 a retainer maintaining the load support in a set position; and 
 a second breakable member maintaining the retainer in a set position. 
 
   
   
     2. The system of  claim 1  wherein the load support carries a substantial portion of the load from the differential pressure across the flapper when the flapper is in a closed position. 
   
   
     3. The system of  claim 1  wherein the load support is positioned within a groove formed in a flow tube. 
   
   
     4. The system of  claim 3  wherein the load support has a wedge face that matches a wedge face in the groove formed in the flow tube. 
   
   
     5. The system of  claim 4  wherein the load support carries a substantial portion of the load from the differential pressure across the flapper when the flapper is in a closed position. 
   
   
     6. A well tool protection method comprising the steps of:
 supporting a force from a pressure differential across a flapper when the flapper is in a closed position; 
 actuating a first slide sleeve to move the flapper to an open position; 
 parting a first breakable member allowing the first slide sleeve to move; 
 equalizing the pressure differential across the flapper; 
 parting a second breakable member releasing a second slide sleeve for movement; 
 urging a second slide sleeve into movement by movement of the first slide sleeve; 
 moving a load support; 
 expelling a protection fluid; and 
 moving the flapper to the open position. 
 
   
   
     7. The method of  claim 6  wherein the force from the differential pressure across the flapper is carried substantially by the load support. 
   
   
     8. The method of  claim 7  wherein the load support is a split ring. 
   
   
     9. The method of  claim 7  wherein the load support is positioned within a groove formed in a flow tube. 
   
   
     10. The method of  claim 7  wherein the load support has a wedge face that matches a wedge face in the groove formed in the flow tube.